TO STUDY HIV SEROPOSITIVITY IN PATIENTS OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE AT NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TUBERCULOSIS AND RESPIRATORY DISEASES

Background: HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks the immune system and thereby weaken bodys natural defence mechanism against various diseases. Several pulmonary complications have been documented in HIV infected people among which Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) carries special importance. It has been postulated that COPD occurs more frequently in HIV infected people and occurs in younger aged HIV infected people than non HIV population. Methods: It was a cross sectional observational study, and convenience sampling method was adopted. COPD cases were selected from out-patient department. HIV testing was done as per national guideline with the HIV kits supplied by NATIONAL AIDS CONTROL ORGANIZATION (NACO). Objective: To study the occurrence of HIV seropositivity in the adult (older than 18 years of age) patients of COPD attending National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases(NITRD). Results: HIV positivity was foundin 4% of COPD patients. COPD developed at an earlier age in HIV positive patients. Median age was 37.5 years in HIV positive patients compared to median age of 50 years in HIV negative patients. Smoking and nutritional status of the patients did not show any significant relationship with HIV. Final conclusion: Keeping in mind the limitations of this study we concluded that HIV testing may be helpful in young aged, uncontrolled COPD patients.But further studies are required with larger sample sizes to confirm these observations.